Clifton Moore to transfer from IU basketball after two years

BLOOMINGTON – Sophomore forward Clifton Moore will transfer away from Indiana, after two years in Bloomington.

Moore, a 6-10 forward from Pennsylvania, will leave the program with two years of eligibility and a redshirt year to use. His decision was confirmed by his AAU coach.

Originally a 2017 signee for former IU coach Tom Crean, Moore stayed with the program through the transition to Archie Miller. He appeared in nine games as a freshman, and 15 as a sophomore, always from the bench. A potentially versatile forward with some guard skills, Moore never found a consistent role in Miller’s system. He averaged 1.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game last season.

Moore was one of three 2017 signees to stick with Indiana through the coaching change. He was also one of several big men on last season's roster, finding himself fighting for playing time alongside Juwan Morgan, De'Ron Davis, Justin Smith and Evan Fitzner.

With Morgan and Fitzner out of eligibility, but Center Grove post Trayce Jackson-Davis incoming and Jake Forrester developing as well, IU's frontcourt appears likely to be crowded again next winter.

Moore's departure means the Hoosiers now have more open spots for next season than signees currently incoming. Should Romeo Langford declare for the NBA draft, Miller would have four open scholarships to work with.

Jackson-Davis and Cathedral guard Armaan Franklin are IU's only two 2019 signees.

Indiana's recruiting efforts in 2019 have continued into the spring. IU hosted four-star guard Harlond Beverly on a campus visit toward the end of the regular season, and landed a spot in the final five of Trendon Watford, Christian Watford's younger brother and one of the most well-regarded forwards in the 2019 class.

The graduate transfer market, from which Indiana recruited Fitzner last season, could also be an option. It's not clear at present how seriously Miller and his staff would examine those options.